Every year as the weather warms and summer arrives some parents think of rabbits as an a pet for their child.
This week is Rabbit Awareness Week and our Smallies team who look after the bunnies in our care have been sharing special messages as they do on what we call Smallies Sunday’ each week.
We have seen incredible numbers of rabbits needing help in recent years with more rabbits needing new homes than dogs or cats.
Many rabbits are bought on impulse and are housed in small hutches at the end of the garden with no exercise and the child often forgets the poor pet that is left for the parents to care for.
Most cases of cruelty and neglect towards rabbits are out of ignorance, people often don't realise they are doing anything wrong because they haven’t done enough research into rabbit care before choosing to buy a pet rabbit.
There are approximately 1.7 million rabbits kept as pets across the UK with over 35,000 in rescue Shelters every year.
With the life span of a rabbit on average 7-8 years, the need for fresh food and a balanced diet, annual vaccinations, regular grooming, plenty of exercise, insurance, feed bowls and utensils, toys, hay, accommodation, microchipping, neutering and other vet fees it can cost in excess of £1000 a year for your first rabbit although if you have more than one costs are shared so it would likely be £1500 for two rabbits housed together.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Summer is upon us as is Rabbit Awareness Week and people may think a rabbit is a good idea for at this time of year, but the GSPCA want to remind islanders that although they are wonderful little animals they really need a lot of care and attention.”
“We have been inundated with rabbits over the last year from strays to unwanted bunnies and we are urging anyone thinking of getting a rabbit to ensure that everyone in the household are serious and realise that they can live for seven years or more and cost an average £90+ a month to care for.”
“A rabbit isn't just for the summer, but if people are serious about adopting one then we have many rescue rabbits at the Shelter looking for new homes and we home visit each of these to ensure every rabbit finds a good and loving home.”
“We opened a purpose build rabbit area at the GSPCA ahead of our #GSPCABIGGESTBUILD as it is always full to capacity with over 30 rabbits often in our care at any time.”
“It is so important that rabbits get the space and exercise they need and lots of environmental enrichment as well as a varied balanced diet.”
If you are serious about adopting a rabbit or other small animal you can do so by contacting the Shelter on 01481 257261, check out the website http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/rabbits or pop up to the Shelter to find out more.
The smallies team who care for the bunnies at the GSPCA recently shared these messages -
‘ Rabbit Awareness Week
A good rabbit enclosure should include plenty of enrichment! Rabbits in the wild would make burrows, so tunnels are a great way to simulate this for them! Wooden bridges work well, as well as cardboard tunnels, but you can also use plastic or waterproof fabric tunnels marketed towards cats, just make sure you keep an eye on the condition of the tunnels if your rabbits are prone to destruction!
Rabbits also need toys! Some rabbits like to throw things around, but primarily toys are for destruction and wearing their teeth down. This can be as simple as cardboard tubes stuffed with hay, or you can purchase toys, with the best choices being those made of natural materials, without unnatural dyes. See below for some examples of the safest and most recommended options for your bunnies!
#RAW2025
Rabbit Awareness Week
Rabbits housed outdoors should have a safe and secure enclosure. This should consist of a comfy and fully sheltered area, which could be a hutch or shed, as well as a spacious run. There are some companies you can order large runs from, or you can build one yourself! It is important to use a sturdy wire on a rabbit run, both to keep the rabbits from chewing their way out, and other animals from getting in.
With enclosures on grass, it may be a good idea to put down some wire mesh, or have an alternative flooring such as paving slabs, which will prevent an industrious rabbit from digging a tunnel out under their enclosure and escaping.
Be aware of how the weather will affect your rabbits too. Waterproof coverings for hutches and runs are a must in Guernsey!
#RAW2025
Rabbit Awareness Week
There are lots of ways to build a safe and enriching indoor enclosure for your rabbits. It is common to use fences and playpens designed for large dogs, which can be set up in a variety of shapes to suit your living space.
Avoid flimsy playpens made of mesh – rabbits’ teeth will make short work of them!
This enclosure should include all your rabbits’ essentials, as well as hides, tunnels and toys. Even simple things like cardboard boxes and empty toilet roll tubes can make their living space more fun to inhabit and explore.
We recommend having an area like this for free roam rabbits as well, so they will have their own space in the house and can be enclosed if necessary.
#RAW2025
It’s Rabbit Awareness Week, and this year’s theme is Happy Hoppy Homes!
This week, we’ll be sharing the current guidance on enclosures that keep rabbits safe, happy and healthy, as well as important aspects of what should be inside a rabbit’s enclosure.
Rabbits, whether alone or in a pair, need a minimum of 2 metres by 3 metres of unbroken space, which is at least 1 metre tall. This allows them room to run, jump, explore and hide when they need to. They should have access to this space 24/7. As crepuscular animals, they are most active during dawn and dusk, so being kept in a small space during these times and moved into an exercise area during the daytime is unnatural and frustrating for them.
Sadly, most pet retailers do not offer adequate housing that meets these standards, so many rabbits spend their lives in small hutches and cages, unable to express their natural behaviours. A hutch can form part of a great outdoor enclosure for a rabbit, but it is never enough on its own.
#RAW2025 ‘
Steve continued “We are always looking for those wishing to give animals a loving home and to register your interest you can fill in an adoption online form https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=23 .”
“If you can’t adopt a bunny maybe you cold become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor donating each month to help the hundreds of animals in our care which you can do by downloading this form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf or to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf .”
“To the latest, make a donation or support our BIGGEST BUILD Appeal please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspcabiggestbuild-demolition-update-%E2%80%93-we-desperately-need-your-support-are-you-helping-us-build .”
To see events, ways to support and animals in need please see our latest blog https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog
Upcoming events
Steve continued “There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA.”
“Our BIGGEST BUILD is now underway and we are desperately looking for support and to help in anyway please do get in touch and check out this link https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggestbuild-begins-demolition-underway-%E2%80%93-buying-brick-sponsorship-can-you-help .”
“The Dolphin Discovery Trail treasure hunt app is now live until the end of August and to find all 62 dolphins download the Turfhunt app and use the code EADASD or zoom in on Guernsey and if you get all dolphins with a picture you will be entered into a prize draw with the current top prize an iwatch but additional prizes very welcome and we are looking for a sponsor for the app.”
“To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor donating each month to help the hundreds of animals in our care which you can do by downloading this form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf or to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf .”
“To think of helping animals and our work in your legacy or will please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding .”
“For those from those want to give CSR time and skills to those wanting to help sponsor or support something from our Wish List at the GSPCA http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list or support Autism Guernsey https://www.autismguernsey.org.gg/ .”
“If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days “
“For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship “
“If you would like to volunteer then to find out more details here -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or to complete the volunteer application form please check out https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=14 .”
"We also have vacancies at the GSPCA and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/vacancies ."
"For lots of ways to support our work please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years ."
“To visit our facebook page check out this link please click here .”
“To visit our x page please click here .”
“Thank you for your support.”
Post new comment